VOTW: I can do all things through Christ (23 May 2021)

Summary:

• Context: Paul was thanking the Philippians for their Heart of service

• The verse is revealing the secret to Paul's ability to be content in all circumstances

• The crux of the verse is "through Christ". Christ is Paul's secret

• Whether we use it as an encouragement for trials or comfort in distress, the catalyst for our peace or deliverance is a Person: Christ!

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

This verse is perhaps one of the most-used bible verse for strength. When people quote this verse, whether as an encouragement or placed on t-shirts in print, it is often interpreted as a reminder or proclamation that Christians have miraculous strength from Christ Himself. Is that really true? In this short article, we hope to be able to delve deeper into the usage of this verse and hopefully shed some light on the nourishment and strength that this verse can bring to us!

Firstly, context. The verse is found in the book of Philippians in the New Testament. It is generally ascribed to the apostle Paul, a giant figure in the early church, and probably rightly so, since the writer opens the letter by greeting the church of Philippians in Paul’s name. As is apparent from the contents, Paul seemed to be writing from a place of bondage or at least trouble (1:12-13). However, this letter is surprisingly not one of despair or plea, but it is an exhortation to the church in Philippi. That in itself is already encouraging and intriguing.

Our verse is found in the final portion of the letter where Paul is actually thanking the recipients for having blessed him (4:10; 4:14). Paul was thanking them in an interesting way. He rejoices that the church of Philippi has sought to send help to him, but then specifically stating that his joy was not because of the help received, but the heart that the Philippians had in trying to help him. This will become clear when we read 4:10-14 as a whole. And it is in this context of thanking the church, that Paul inserts this statement, where he explains why he is specifically thankful for their heart of service, not the help itself.

Just prior to our main verse:

“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” Philippians 4:11-12

We think that, essentially, Paul was not speaking of the Lord providing for him in his time of need (though it is certainly true that God does and will), but he is talking about his own internal state during both times of need and abundance. The word in bold from the excerpt is really special. We have it translated as “learned” in the verse however, it is actually a distinct word from the previous "learned". In the Greek, myeō actually speaks of learning a secret or mystery. Paul was really revealing a secret he had learned from the Lord!

To be content is to be fulfilled, to be satisfied. And as John Piper once preached in a sermon on Philippians, it most certainly is a miracle and a mystery, for one to be able to honestly say that he is content in a situation of lack. Paul has learned this secret. We believe that he reveals to us the secret in the next verse: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. Some may say that Paul is only talking about being content, while others may argue that Paul is referring to ALL things and hence, it is an encouragement to overcome great and difficult trials. We think that all these interpretations are possible, but they are all missing the point. Paul’s focus was never on “can do” or “all things”, or even “strengthens”. What is it then? “Through Christ”.

From a person in lack, how can one be contented if the feeling of contentment is in definition, to not be in lack? Unless his true need is fulfilled such that he is content despite his lack in other areas. In Chapter 3, Paul talks of this really strongly. He counted all things that he gained in life as losses, and Christ to be the only gain in his life. That was his secret. Christ was the fulfilment of our true lack, and the only way for us to be content.

So practically, have we been using the verse as an encouragement appropriately? We believe that the verse could be about strength to be content, or strength to do ALL things, but the crux is the catalyst for any of this to be true: it is through Christ that you gain true contentment, true strength, true gain. This verse brings to new light not the strength of man, but the strength of The Man, in whom the whole church is being united into.

We pray that the next time you read this verse, you will see the beauty of our Lord Christ, who fills you and provides for you. And above the fulfilment of your desires, Christ Himself is the gain that is to be desired!